An Ulster Fry with Potato Cakes

April 2, 2014

Growing up in Belfast you couldn’t fail to come across an Ulster Fry. Traditionally served in the morning it is reminiscent of a full English breakfast with its bacon, eggs, sausages, fried tomato and black pudding. Usually the option of beans and fried mushrooms is available with plenty of tea, toast and orange juice. What makes it different is the addition of soda bread, usually fried and potato bread. It makes a very satisfying and filling breakfast, keeping you full until dinner time. It probably evolved from the times when people had to go out and do demanding physical labour all day, it would make them ready to face this.

When I first moved to England I remember being taken aback that I could not buy potato bread anywhere. This was my favourite part of a fried breakfast, the thin flat slices fried in butter have a very unique taste. If you are lucky you can now find potato bread in some stores, but soda bread remains something I make myself.

Recently I was sent some Greenvale potatoes to try, these are an all rounder potato so can be used for boiling, roasting, mashing or chips. They come in a old style 2kg sack which actually keeps the potatoes fresher longer. I find when they are in plastic bags I end up with the potatoes growing sprouts. You can find Greenvale potatoes in Tesco, Booths in the North East and also Ocado for RRP £2.50 a bag. I decided to use the opportunity to create an Ulster Fry. Instead of potato bread I made potato cakes which actually worked well with the meal.

It certainly kept me full till dinner time, but not my son. I sometimes think he had hollow legs the amount of food he eats. It is as if he has never been fed. It was a perfect breakfast for a lazy Sunday morning.

10 responses to “An Ulster Fry with Potato Cakes”

I love a good fry up on a Saturday morning! Potato cakes are such a treat. The only time I tried making them, it was a disaster so I will definitely be trying your recipe as it looks nice and easy! x Mel #TastyTuesdays